KUCHING: In conjunction with the 20th edition of the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF), the Rainforest Fringe will be held from 7 to 16 July 2017 with 20,000 patrons expected to attend it.
The 10-day event will take place throughout the city of Kuching and acts as a prelude to the RWMF which itself will take place from 14 to 16 July 2017.
According to Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth, and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, this will enhance the festival goers’ experience, especially for those who are coming from outside Kuching.
“This is what makes this year’s RWMF slightly different from the previous ones,” said Karim during a press conference at his office at Baitulmakmur here yesterday.
One of the highlights will be ‘Sada Kamek: Music of Sarawak’ which will showcase the talents of local homegrown artists like sape player Mathew Ngau and artistes At Adau and Dayang Nurfaizah that will take place at the Kuching Amphitheater on 9 July 2017 from 8.30pm onwards.
All in all, 28 bands from around the globe are expected to partake in this year’s edition of the RWMF. These include Abavuki from South Africa, Radio Cos (Spain), Achanak (India/United Kingdom), Ba Cissoko (Ginuea), Bitori (Cape Verde), Calan (Wales), Cimarron (Colombia), Didier Laloy and Kathy Adam (Belgium), Dom Flemons (United States), Hanggai (China), Huw Williams (Wales), Kelele (South Africa), Okra Olayground (Finland) and Pareaso (South Korea).
Also expected to perform are groups such as Romengo (Hungary), Spiro (United Kingdom), Svara Samsara (Indonesia), Taiwu Ancient Balads Troupe (Taiwan), The Chipolatas (UK/Australia), Saing Waing Orchestra (Myanmar), The Paradise Bangkok Morlam International Band (Thailand), Tahiti E (Tahiti), One Drum.org (Malaysia), Ilu Leto (Sarawak), Sarawak Cultural Village (Sarawak), 1511 O Maliao Maliao Dance Troupe (Malaysia) and Lan E Tuyang (Sarawak).
Other activities that will be happening during Rainforest Fringe include art exhibitions, concerts, a fashion gala, talks, and screenings that are all aimed towards celebrating the culture, heritage, and people of Sarawak.
Also present during the press conference were Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin and the ministry’s permanent secretary Datu Ik Pahon Joyik.
Those who wish to know more can visit http://rainforestfringe.com/ for more information.
